We didn't go to D.C.. We went to the State Capital.
So what was the declaration of Independence doing in the capital of Utah?
Well, in 1989, A man bought a four dollar painting at a flea market because he admired the frame. When he got home he noticed a bit of paper sticking out of the back. He gently pried it out and unfolded it. It was an original copy of the Declaration of Independence!
There are about thirty copies of the document. One was the one signed at congress August and the others were printed and distributed throughout the thirteen colonies on the fifth of July. All but about thirteen copies were lost.
And so we found ourselves waiting in line to see the Declaration of Independence.
After It was certified as an original Dunlap Broadside copy, it was purchased by a couple who had a dream of it traveling across the nation for all to see. It is the only copy in good enough condition to travel.
But it wasn't that simple.
We got there thinking we could just walk in and see it and walk out, like in Washington DC. But as we got in, we were directed to a room with a movie about the Broadside. After that we were told that the line was two hours long. It wound all around the capital building. So we got in line.
And waited.
And waited. And waited. And waited. And moved ahead two meters. And waited. And waited. Some of us went to go see the gift shop. And waited. And moved forward. And some of us go to see the house and senate room, and waited. And waited.
You get the idea. And you could not really sit down because the entire building is made of marble. It was sooooooooo boring, and your legs start to hurt cause your just standing there!
UHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
But about an hour into it you cant leave because you devoted so much time.
Three hours later. Maybe we should have left two hours ago. But then you come in sight of the HUGE room that in the middle there is a roped off area that has the Declaration on display. They have securty guards standing on either side. They are escorting one family at a time into the circle to get a close look, and take photos! There where literally thousands of people in the building at the same time! You could go up a flight of steps and see it from a balcony. It was sooooo cool. We got to the display and were able to get up close and personal. It was so cool to see that old of a document up close!!!
It was a four and a half hour wait, but it was worth it!
4 comments:
It looks like it was wirth the wait - beautiful pictures, too.
Wow, that is longer than the lines at Disneyland in August. I am so impressed you waited that long. I can not imagine certain members of the family lasting that long, I am talking about me. Good for you! Sounds like a great experience. Love Grandma N
I forget how beautiful the state capital is. The photo with the pillars and arch is so stunning (I know it is supposed to show the long line, but what great scenery). I can't believe how grown up Whitney. I also have to do a double take to see if Noreen is in the photo. You look like sisters with your matching long hair.
What a nice piece of writing, Whitney. Good job. There is something emotion-inspiring about seeing something iconic like that, isn't there? One of the feelings I like to encourage is thinking that wherever I am, especially in Utah, there was some notable person who walked wherever I am walking, and that means that in a sense I inhabit the same space they did and can do the same great deeds they did.
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